Monday, 22 September 2008

I am absolutely chuffed to bits this evening after following a link to the 2008 Blotanical Awards to discover that I have been nominated in the Best UK Blog category! I had popped over to make my voting selections as the deadline is on Sunday 28th September. What a surprise this was. I would like to thank all the blotanists who have voted for shirls gardenwatch. I am touched.

I would also like to thank this little chap in the photo above as without his visits to my garden there would be no blog at all!

For those who don’t know - I started this blog back in November 2007 as a way to share photos and video footage of the European Robin with my friend in Australia who was missing Scotland. I had no idea when I started back then how much fun it would be, how much I was to learn and how many new friendships I would make. Would I recommend blogging? Oh yes... I would!

Would I recommendBlotanical as a way of discovering new garden blogs? Oh yes... definitely! In fact one more thanks is in order here… to Stuart and the Blotanical team for all the hard work they have put into the site - well done.

Only members of Blotanical can vote in these awards. You can make your votes by following the link at the top of my post or through the badge at the top of my sidebar. What a selection of categories there are for voting too – this looks a great success.

Congratulations on your 1st Blotanical Awards, Stuart!

Oh... and one final thing. Guess where Stuart is based? Australia, now what a coincidence is that!

The photo of the Robin shown above was taken in my garden in January this year.

Nancy – Thank-you, and thanks too for all the positive comments you have given me :-D

Carol – I really was absolutely chuffed – thanks! I am guessing you are chuffed too with all the nominations you have had. The garden blogging world just wouldn’t be the same without May Dreams Gardens :-D

easygardener – Thank-you! It really was a surprise :-D I have so enjoyed blogging and have great fun with my video editing (lots more to come). The more feedback I get, on the videos especially, makes me want to do more – thank-you :-D

Lisa – I love coincidence don’t you? Thank-you, I know you especially enjoy my bird and wildlife posts and they have been few and far between this summer. Normal service will be resumed soon :-D The truth is that this has summer has been quite different. I have been spending a lot of time with my daughters and helping get my eldest (and first fledging) ready for Uni. These past two weeks have been both stressful and emotional and as a close family unit we are still adjusting to this change. Ah… ‘chuffed’ I love this word and I assume you got its meaning – really, really pleased and touched! Funnily enough, last week I picked up a small Scots dictionary (for accurate translation) as I plan to drop in occasional Scots tongue into future posts – especially for my friends outside the UK :-D

Jane Marie – Thank-you, like everyone who has left comments above, it is very kind of you to say so :-D

Mike – Thank-you! I enjoy the time working on my blog. I see it as a ‘small’ creative outlet. I have fun with it. I have enjoyed seeing yours change too. However I must say that your photos of garden birds are simply stunning and always make me smile :-D

VP – Why thank-you - and to you too ;-D Wow… two nominations – you must be well chuffed. What fun!! You have such a fantastic range of topics in your blog (including recipes) and I really should make time to visit more. I applaud your fundraising for ‘Water Aid’ via opening your garden. You are most deserving of your award nominations :-D

I was so pleased to read that you've been nominated for Best UK blog and rightly so. And thanks for the heads up, I didn't know that my blog was nominated as well. I've just been to busy to blog much these last few weeks. Being nominated means that your blog is appreciated by quite a lot of fellow bloggers and that is always nice to know, isn't it?

Thank-you, although I was genuinely surprised by it! I came runner-up and I was thrilled! I see you won your category for Europe – well done you :-D

I agree it is wonderful to get feedback like this from fellow Bloggers. It really does mean a lot.

It is great that you have been busy (I hope having fun too) but yes, blog posts are tricky to do then. I always like to think that postings should be done when you have something to share and not with any pressure on time. I’m sure you readers are happy to hear from you whenever and will wait patiently when you are busy – I know I can :-D

OSPREY WEBCAM Loch of Lowes

GARDEN VISITS, WALK WITH ME...

GARDEN BIRD VIDEOS, COME SEE WHO CATCHES MY EYE...

I’ve noticed Sparrowhawks appear in the garden during wind and rain. To see my more regular visitors they are hiding behind the handsome chap above – just click on his photo :-)

BLUE TIT NESTBOX DIARY 2010

Six eggs, two attentive parents, hundreds of caterpillars, insects & live mealworms. Result… six chicks successfully fledge! Click on photo link above to follow their story through chat, photos & video.

WHERE IN THE WORLD AM I?

My small garden is in Perthshire, Scotland. I don’t have salmon in my pond, red deer in my borders, ospreys nesting in my acers or red squirrels at my peanut feeders! Nor do I have the world’s highest hedge, paths exciting enough for the serious cyclist and enough of a lawn for golf! However, Perthshire does plus many beautiful gardens too… follow the photo link above to see :-)